SNP candidate dragged into Michelle Thomson property row

SNP MP Michelle Thomson
. Picture: TSPL — SNP MP Michelle Thomson . Picture: TSPL

The SNP confirmed that Ivan McKee, who is contesting Glasgow Provan for Holyrood next year, used Ms Thomson for identifying sales and tenant services.

Mr McKee hired one of Ms Thomson’s companies that specialises in purchasing homes below market value.

Ms Thomson has been forced to withdraw from the SNP party whip amid questions over the legality and morality of her business dealings involving a solicitor, Chris Hales, who has since been struck off, over 13 property deals linked to Thomson and her business partners.

Her property deals involved the “back to back” buying and selling of houses, owned by vulnerable people. They were bought at below full market value and then resold at far higher prices, often on the same day.

Mr McKee, like Ms Thomson, was a board member on the pro-independence Business for Scotland in last year’s referendum campaign.

He bought three properties to let out in Edinburgh during 2013 and 2014, using the services of Ms Thomson’s company, which no longer provides any services for him.

It is understood no mortgages were involved in the purchase of the properties and they have not been resold.

An SNP spokesman said: “Mr McKee purchased three properties to let out in Edinburgh during 2013 and 2014, using the services of Michelle Thomson’s company, which no longer provides any services for him.

“No mortgages were involved in the purchase of the properties and they have not been resold.”